Diploma Mills

[Gloddy]

I am only posting to this because over the past year, I have fully embraced the opportunity to use resources like TESU, study.com and degreeforum.net to assist me in finishing the education I should have completed 20+ years ago.  I am so glad I discovered this community.

I had a bad experience this week with a new client and this thread has brought up similar feelings.

I work with highly educated people (primarily professors, researchers, and medical doctors).  I am required to give every client a standardized bio which states in pretty plain language that I have no education beyond high school. For the most part, my clients are not worried about it, especially after they start working with me. They understand that the firm I work for knew what type of clients I would be facing every day and still hired me for the position.

Well, this week a new client started with "you didn't got to college?"  I explained that I have been in the industry for more than 20 years, I have multiple professional designations and I am more than qualified to help him.  I then said I was finishing my Finance Degree.  He said that is great. Where?  I said TESU and he said "Do you even have to show up there?"

I am not even sure he meant it the way it sounded, but it definitely stung. Especially given he is right. Technically, I don't have to show up there.

He is still my client and we had a great first meeting, but I felt bad about for it at least a full day.  I finished two classes today and worked half way through another before stopping for the night to come here. This thread, while a misunderstanding stirs the bad feelings pot.

I am one of the people who is "speeding" through the Gen Ed credits.  For the most part the classes are things that I know but need a little refresher. I have been treating it like a testing out procedure.

None of this will stop me from continuing my journey, but felt compelled to share after reading this thread.

Thanks for reading.
Gloddy